Qingyang

Qingyang is located in eastern Gansu and combines the landforms of the Loess Plateau, a long farming tradition, and rich intangible cultural heritage. The area sits at a relatively high elevation and has a fairly cool climate. It can be reached from Xi'an by high-speed rail in about one hour, making it suitable for a weekend or short holiday trip.

• Beishiku Temple: One of China's four major grotto complexes and an important surviving example of Northern Wei Buddhist art. The grottoes were carved into the sandstone cliffs along the mountainside, and the statues, which have endured for more than a thousand years, hold substantial historical value.

• Zhouzu Mausoleum: A 4A-rated cultural attraction and the burial site of Bu Zhi, an ancestor of the Zhou people. From the Bagua Pavilion, you can look out over Qingcheng County and the Rouyuan River. The grounds are filled with ancient cypress trees and feature distinctive historical remains.

• Huanzhou Ancient City: A free-to-enter 4A-rated ancient town where blue-brick lanes complement nighttime light shows. You can also watch Daoqing shadow puppetry. The site has cave-dwelling guesthouses, making it suitable for an overnight stay.

• Qingyang Museum: Free to enter, with exhibits including Paleolithic chopping tools, Shang and Zhou jade ge daggers, and a fossil model of the “Yellow River Ancient Elephant.” It offers an introduction to the farming civilization and local folk customs of eastern Gansu.

• Nanliang Revolutionary Memorial Hall: Located within the core former site area of the Shaanxi-Gansu Border Revolutionary Base, this free museum is a good place to learn about local revolutionary history and is also suitable for educational visits.

• Ziwuling: A forested area on the Loess Plateau, with remains of the Qin Straight Road visible inside the scenic area. In the evening, the open sunset views along the road are ideal for walking and enjoying nature.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in the city and learn about eastern Gansu culture
  • Morning: After arriving at Qingyang Station, head to the Qingyang Museum. Admission is free, and you need to bring your ID card. Start with the exhibits on Loess Plateau culture and farming civilization.
  • Noon: Try Qingyang saozi noodles and clear-broth mutton in the city to get a taste of the local noodle and mutton dishes.
  • Afternoon: Visit Xiaokongtong or Qingshuigou Scenic Area and walk among the Danxia canyons and trees.
  • Evening: First enjoy the night view of Rainbow Bridge at Nanhu Park, then head to Haoxin Snack Street or Dongzhiyuan Night Market for sugar-oil cakes and grilled mutton skewers.
• Day 2: Visit the grottoes and explore Zhouzu Mausoleum
  • Morning: Drive or take a taxi to Beishiku Temple, about 25 kilometers from the city center. View the Northern Wei statues carved into the sandstone cliffs. Joining a shared guided tour is recommended to better understand the grottoes' history.
  • Noon: Eat at a nearby farm restaurant and try tu nuan guo, a dish in which meat and vegetables are stewed together in a clay pot. The broth is rich and flavorful.
  • Afternoon: Go to Qingcheng County to visit Zhouzu Mausoleum. Climb the 808 steps and explore the historic buildings. In the evening, enjoy the view from the summit, where the setting sun illuminates the upturned eaves and ancient halls.
  • Evening: After descending, visit the free-to-enter Yaowang Cave Wellness Town (Qingzhou Ancient City) for pork blood stewed with tofu, buckwheat helao noodles, and a nighttime water-screen film.
• Day 3: Choose between revolutionary history and natural scenery
  • Option A (red-themed educational visit): Visit the Nanliang Revolutionary Memorial Hall to learn about the history of the Shaanxi-Gansu Border Revolutionary Base, then buy local specialties and head home in the afternoon.
  • Option B (frontier scenery and nature): Drive to Ziwuling or Donglaoye Mountain, hike along the remains of the Qin Straight Road, and enjoy the landscape where Loess Plateau gullies meet green forest. Have farmhouse chicken stewed with mushrooms for lunch, then head home in the afternoon.

Must-Try Foods in Qingyang

Qingyang cuisine is centered on noodles and mutton. Prices are generally reasonable, and the flavors are hearty.

• Qingyang tu nuan guo: Similar to a casserole-style hotpot, this dish stews ribs, meatballs, tofu, and vegetables in a clay stove. The broth is rich and warming, making it especially suitable for cooler weather.

• Mutton helao noodles: The noodles are pressed by hand and have a chewy texture. Served with fragrant mutton saozi, they are a common staple in eastern Gansu.

• Huan County lamb: Lamb from Huan County is tender and has a relatively mild gamey flavor. It can be gently stewed or served as hand-grabbed lamb with salt for dipping, and it can also be vacuum-packed as a gift.

• Yangdao stew: A local intangible cultural heritage food from Qingyang, made with fresh sheep's blood and flour. It has a smooth, soft, and glutinous texture and can be served in a clear broth or stir-fried.

• Pork blood stewed with tofu: Pork blood and tofu are stewed together until they become bright in color and tender in texture. The dish was once commonly served at local wedding and funeral banquets and can now be found in many restaurants.

• Zhenyuan sugar-oil cake: Fresh from the pan, it is crisp on the outside and soft and chewy inside, with a moderate sweetness. It is a common local street snack and breakfast choice.

Transportation and Accommodation Tips

• Transportation:
  • High-speed rail: The journey from Xi'an North or Xi'an East to Qingyang Station takes about one hour, with fares of around 100 yuan and frequent departures. High-speed trains from Qingyang's urban area to Qingcheng and Huan County take about 15–20 minutes.
  • Driving: Xi'an is about 270 kilometers from Qingyang, a drive of less than three hours on generally good roads. Since Qingyang's attractions are spread out, driving or hiring a private car makes it easier to arrange your itinerary.
  • Around the city: Xifeng District has no shared bicycles, but its bus network is fairly comprehensive, with a flat fare of 1 yuan per ride. Taxis are also convenient.
• Accommodation:
  • Xifeng District: There are many accommodation options and well-developed facilities. Consider staying around the Dongfang Lijingmao commercial area or near the museum, where restaurants are concentrated and transportation is convenient.
  • Huanzhou Ancient City: You can stay in a cave-dwelling guesthouse and step out directly into the old blue-brick lanes. Nights are relatively quiet, and booking one week in advance is recommended.
  • Qingcheng County: Consider staying near Yaowang Cave Wellness Town for easy access to the night views and local snacks.

Practical Travel Tips

• Temperature changes and clothing: Qingyang sits at a relatively high elevation of more than 1,000 meters, so the temperature difference between day and night is noticeable. Short sleeves may be sufficient at midday, but bring a light jacket for mornings and evenings. Many attractions involve climbing steps, so comfortable athletic shoes are recommended.
• Sun protection and moisturizing: The area has a dry northwestern climate and strong ultraviolet radiation. Use sun protection and moisturizer when traveling.
• Reservations and guides: Most museums and exhibition halls, including the Qingyang Museum and Nanliang Revolutionary Memorial Hall, are free to enter, but advance reservations and an ID card are required. At cultural attractions such as Beishiku Temple, you can rent an official audio guide or join a shared guided tour to better understand the history.
• Buying local products: There is no need to buy local products immediately at attraction entrances. Instead, visit a city supermarket, such as Dongfang Baijia Supermarket, to buy daylilies, mixed grains, apples, and sachets, which are usually more reasonably priced.
• Sachet Festival: If you visit Qingyang around the Dragon Boat Festival, you may have a chance to attend the Qingyang Sachet Folk Culture Festival. At the Folk Culture Industrial Park, you can buy handmade sachets and learn about local intangible cultural heritage, including sachet making.